How I Get Students to Practice

Most of you know that I'm passionate about piano practice! It just breaks my heart when I see kids struggle, thinking they can't play the piano - when really - they just didn't put in the work!

So...how do we get kids to practice? Here's are a couple things that have given me the most success:

1. Get Parents On Board

Let's face it - most kids don't want to do "the right thing." Whether it's brushing their teeth, or making the bed, or helping with the lawn, none of that is "fun" and kids will opt out in a minute.

It's the same with piano lessons. And yes, some students are passionate about the piano, but many need to be held accountable.

That's why I wrote my book - 101 Piano Practice Tips, which is on sale right now for just .99! It's full of fun, practice tips to get students to the keyboard.

Best of all? I wrote it specifically for parents. It's laid out in an easy-to-read format, so parents can get ideas fast. AND they'll see why practice is important and why they need to make sure practice actually happens.

2. Use Practice Incentives       

Everyone loves a reward! Incentive programs can work wonders for getting kids to practice and for us teachers - they don't have to be complicated.

Here are a couple of simple ones that I love:

• The Piano Phone by Teach Piano Today. Students will earn apps for completing tasks. All the work is done for you - even the handout to give parents. And yes - it's free.

• Candace Crabtree, one of the guests on Group Lessons 101, is using a simple "check mark" system. If students earn 5 check marks for practicing - 1 mark for each day of practice - then they get a sticker on a chart and sucker. It's super simple, but it works!

• Melody Payne has some practice cards that will help spice up your students' practice sessions.

• What am I doing this semester? I'm going for consistent practice. My students are getting one of Susan Paradis' cute practice charts. (They're free and this one is editable!)

• Need an out-of-the-box idea?  Give your PARENTS the reward! Let's say they get their child to practice 50 times this semester. That breaks down to about 4 practices every week. If they do that, then the PARENT gets a Starbucks gift card. Whatever works, right?!

The idea is to do something - anything! - to motivate kids (or parents!) to get piano practice going during the week!

3. Grab the Piano Bench Mag August 2016 issue.

It's the practice issue! For just 2.99, you'll get TONS of great ideas from several different teachers.
I even wrote an article that might surprise you. I ask the question - Is there ever a time to NOT require practice? My answer was yes. (Surprising, right?)

Go get the issue so you can find out when and why!

Other Helpful Resources
Flashnote Derby

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Grab Your Free Practice
Cheat Sheet!

This little PDF is all ready for you to hand out to parents. 

​These tips are straight from my book, 101 Piano Practice Tips. 

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